Portable automobile grocery-store



E. E. MOSELEY.

PORTABLE AUTOMOBILE GROCERY STORE.

APPLICATIONJFILED JULY 19,1919. 1,338,670. .Pat-@nm Mm. 16,1920.

4 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

.5. E. MosELEY'.

PORTABLE AUTOMOBILE GROCERY STORE. APPLICATION FILED JULY I9; I9I9. Patented Mar. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

Inval/H202 Mo sefepzf Clktoz uns E. El MOSELEY.

PORTABLL- AUTOMOBILE OROCERY STORE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY19.,1919.

1,333,670, Patent@ Mur. 16,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3l v ivmmmto'.

EEMasecef Clfto: ne a EVERET'I' E. MOSELEY. 0F PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS.

PORTABLE AUTOMOILE GROCERY-STC'RE,

ige-riore.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, iii., i923 Application filed July 19. 1919. Serial No. 311,978.

To all clio/n iff l'muy conce/rn ie it known that l, llvisnirri E. .li/ioseiinr, a citizen ot vthe ilnited States, residing at Pine, llutl'` in the countiof .letterson and State oiu Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful improvements iu Portable Automobile GroceryStores, ot which the following is a specification, reference' beingl had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an automobile grocery store and'one of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind including' un automobile. bodj,v large enough, whereby it may be full)Y equipped with over)` convenience, in the wahv of compartments, shelves, drawers, and the like, tor holding` and containingr various articles sold in grocery stores. v A furthe gene 'al and most important olijectof the invention is the provision oi? an apparatus of this kind. whereby groceries of Various kinds may be brought direct to the door of the housewife or housekeeper. Where it is possible to inake purchases of all necessary groceries', with considerable less inconvenience. and by all Ineens cheaper than can he obtained troni the ordinariv grocery.

B v this method considerable time and labor are avoided, and furthermore, the articles purchased will be tresher. particularlythose iu the vegetable. inezit and poul-A try-line oi goods. lt is apparent that this can be accomplished because o't the proprietor of the aiitoinobile grocery store beiner able to secure siip'ilies from the warehouse, or direct from the eoinuiisiion merchants. or direct from the turnier who may bring); vegetables dirent to the city v'or town` thereby eliminatinggu the inii'ldlemah, and also due to the niet thatl the proprietor o'i' the automobile lgrocery store will onliy take on a supply suilicient tor one days sale.. hence. delivering' the goods direct troni the 'wholesaler or farmer or commission merchant to the housewife. ln this way, the proprietor oi the automobile Agrocer)- store secures a sup-l ply ot' groceries particularly vegetable. meat and poultry line each da): and in regard to canned. box and like `goods. it is possible'to replenish the portable store. suv tor instance, every two or 'three days.

Vfurther,oh'icct ot the invention is the provision oi complete svsteni oi ventilation` which includes raisable and lowerable sashes or glass panels.

A further object of the invention 'the provision oi a toilet compartment, Whieh may be litted out with a suitable chemical apparatus.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved automobile grocery `or like store, including an automobile body oi the necessaryv type und construction and having u thorough and general arrangement oit.' compertinents, drawers boxes, shelves :ind the like, iu order to insure a complete classiiin cation ol all goods, particularly those sold. in cans`r cartons. boxes bags and 'the like9 or those that may be sold in loo-se quantities.

lVhile the design and construction at pres ent illustrated and set forth :is deemed pret erable. it is obvious that :is :i result of a ref duction of the invention to a more practical toi-m tor commercial purposesi the invention maj,7 be susceptible to changes, and the right to these changes is claimed, provided tfneiVY are com prehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprirfics further features and conihination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth. shown in the drawings and claimed.

ln the drawings:

Figure' l :is o View in side elevation ot the improved automobile grocery store con strueted in :ficcordunce with Athe invention.

Fig. 2 'is a sectional plan `View oi' the saine. that is aV View taken substantially a little he lon7 the top of the body of the automobile. thi-roby7 illustrating` the rangement of the interior of the body of this particular type ot automobile` in fact. sl'iowing the drivers or chauffenrs compertinent and the couimunication between it and the aisle through 'the rear portion oit the body and showing the customers vestibule and the arrangement of the other like compartments ior the reception ot various `goods on sale.

Fig. is a longitudinal sectional view on line ,C-*3 ot l? i512. looking' in the direction of the arrow o. showing" the arrangement o i' the shelves` drawers and the like on one side oiC the interior oi the uutoinobile orocerjv store body.

Li is a sect-itmal View also on line ji-S ot but looking; in the opposite direction` as indicated h v the arrow Zi. therehy showing' the arrangement ot the toilet, ,n`- tain shelves7 show ease counter sind corre 'nrious' shelves` drawers and pertinents for bottled goods, upon the opposite side of the interior of the automobile grocery store body.

Fig.' 5 is a front View of the automobile grocery store.

Fig. 6 is a rear View of the same.

Fig. is a detail view of one of the adjustable glass sashes'or panels, showing the arrangement, whereby it .may be adjusted.

Fig. 8 is a detail View showing the lock for the coop, which is supported at the rear of the automobile.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail View in perspective of the compartment 7 l showing how the rods 85 are supported.

Referring more especially to the draw,

ings, l designates an automobile grocery store body, 4 which may be any suitable shape or configuration on the exterior, pref erably such as that illustrated, and 2 and 3 denote the 'forward and rear supporting Wheels therefor.

lt to be understood that this improved automobile grocery store which is mounted upon wheels may be propelled, by means of the usual automobile engine (not shown), which may be provided with the usualselistarter and electric light system (not shown), so that the vehicle may be easily started and so that the interior may beV suitably illuminated. Furthermore, the unl der part of the body, that is the frame or chassis thereof below both sides, is equipped n'itli`suitable tanks d, containing coal oil and gasolene, not only sufficient gasolene to supply fuel to the engine of the apparatus, but also suliicient for selling purposes, to various customers.

At the rear of thev body of the automoJ bile grocery store, immediately below the chassis. a `chicken coop 5.*is suspended. lt will be seen that the lower marginal corners ot the coop are provided with a metal rim.

ln fact, tl e bottom of the coop is covered Wlth sheet metal, as shown at 6, the mar- Ifinal parts ot' which are provided with flanges 7, to surround and partially extend forwardly on the sides and ends of the coop, not only to reinforce the coop, but also affording; means to render the coop substantially theft-prooi'. The coop Vis pr vided with a suitably hinged door 8 on one side, andthe marginal ilange oi' theI sheet metal bottomhas a staple,`over which the hasp oi the closure or door engages, thus when a padlock or similar means is'en- ,caged in the staple, Jthe door may be securely locked, thereby preventing theft of the chicli'ens or other live poultry that may be carried in the coop. l/Vhcn the lock is removed from the door, the bottom of the coop is'provented from falling or discorr nectingr from. the 1frame oi" the coop. This accmnplished by means of hooks and eyes,

which are designed to cooperatively engage sorting` an instrument or the fingers lthrou, ;h

the iiramework of the coop in order to operate the hooks. However, when connecting the hooks and eyes it may be accomplished by inserting' the arm through the opening' controlled by the door 8.

The body of the automobile grocery store is designed to be of a general rectangular contour, though not necessary, and the forward portion of the body is provided With a chauffeurs or drivers compartment 11 having a seat l2, on Which the driver or chauffer may sit, in order to be in position to operate the steeringl wheel and engine operating means. To one side of the chauileurs or drivers compartment a suitable storag'e box 13 is arranged, for' the purpose of receiving; various articles to be stored axvay, either articles pertainingr to the apparatus itself or articles of food, preferably the latter.

As shown in Fig. 5 ot vthe drawings, the

body of theautomobile Lgrocery store is pro-- vided with a iront frame lll, which consists oi'i' the uprights 15, the cross-connecting pieces 1G, which are connected bythe short vertical pieces 17. The usual form of 'vrind shield 18 is arranged between thcnshort vertical pieces 17, and it may be observed that this wind shield comprises the upper and lower sections 19 and 20, the adjacent edges o'f' which as at 21 may be swung inwardly Sor outwardly. For instance, the upper edge the section 20 of the Wind shield may b moved inwardly or the lower edge ot the iuppensec-tion 19 may be swung upwardly and vice versa, in order to permit of ventilation in the usual manner, as is accompli hed in using` ordinary pleasure driving automobiles. Arranged adjacent the end edges ot' the wind shield are stationary glass sashes or panels 252 and hingedl y suspended 1from the upper part ot the top of the body of the ,@rocery storeas a't 23 is an elongated sash lor Lolass panelfpl;

iio

This sash or panel may he swung inwardly and upwardly, and by inea-ns of suitable hooks or other1 tasten-ings 25, this glass" panel or sash may be hooked to the inner surface oi" the top of the body, in order `to permit ot ventilation at a point above the wind shield.

The forward part of the body of the auto1 mobile urocery store on one side thereof has a sine entrance 26, there being suitable.

steps 27, leading upwardly to the entrance. The lower step is'tlush With the surface of the sido of the body, and also flush with the outer edge ot the usual Wheel guard. This (l ll entraine on vthrong 'f doors 28 and 'f@ are orovided with Qjlass 1,333,670 :agg

ent ance :lo has an opening of connnunication 25% with the afhaal'n .nrls or drivers coinpartnient.. there being a suitable door at 29 Vliinggiml at 3l). to comrol the opening; of coniniunicai'ion between the, entrance 26 and the drivel-s conipart nent.

lt will he observed that the Hoor plan ot the bod;v ot the automobile zQrocenv store is suitably divided or partitioned oit', to provide an aisle 3l, leading` from the chantieur`s or drireris compartment, practicalliv illus/)ugh the center ot the body to the rear iliereoi, there being; an opening' or passage ot i'oninninication 32 between the drivers soLnpartnieiit and the aisle, which passage or ot' Communication has a door 33, hinged a ill, so that the driver or chaueur may readiiv have access from the drivers co:apartmentto einT part oll Athe rear of the body. tha is 'through the aisle.

Between certain ot the steps ot the trout side o'll the bod)Y oic the vehirle a lanc ing' or platform 35 is provided, and leading' -troni this landing or platform are several steps Sii, which lead to the onsH 'miners7 vestibule 3T, there loeinfa a door 38 hinged at 39 to control the opening ot eoinniuuieation l'ietiveen the passage (Where the steps se are formed) and ",l t, eustonu-ns` vestibule. The door between the landing); or platform and the, drivers compartment may a l' all times be locked. thereby' preventing' 'the customer troni entering the d 'ivers coinpartnifnt a n d thence into the salesrooni the p agie 52. However, these panels er sashes, so that the driver or chantteur can veijv readily observe the customers as they enter, and the customer ma;Y very readily observe, the interior ot the. vestibule beiore entering. These doors may be replaced h'v screen doors, it' desired, in the hot or suinnier weather, so as to permit oli a 'thorough ventilation. 0n one side of the. pit-laine where the steps 36 are formed, a` partition ill is provided, the upper part oi which is provided with a `lass panel or sash li. which is capable ot being raised and lovrerwl. tor vr liilation purposes, and also whe-rebut' the c`lia|ii`eur or driver can readily observe the customer as he passes yinto the. customers` vestibule. This glass panel or sash may be replaced in the sunnner linie bv a screen ash or panel- To one side oi' the paf'ssagje Where the steps ill) are arranged. a suitable compartment or boil l2 is' provided, tor the reception ol2 tools and other articles pertaining to 'the antonio bile structure. so that parts ot' the, entrino. or the alu-els or running' gear may be oasilj,Y repaired. This compartment or tool box is parti'lioned oii 'roni the passage where the f-teps nu arr- Yori'ned by means o'l' a partitition vl-l VThe lett wail nii the drivers coi'npartnien't or space is in'ovided with the usual glass i panels or saslics ist, 'which may be raised and the partition lo are counters fl? and 48, on

which the various articles as theyv are purchased ina)I be placed. for the customer, and on which the custon'ler may examine various articles as they are being purchased. The loiver parts ot these partitirnis and .-'l inay he constructed ot any suitable material, Isuch as light ivood or from thin sheet metal, such as used in ionstructing; portions or parts of automobiles, While the upper portions ot the partitions 45 and 46 consist of a plurality ot glass panels or sashes 49, 50, 5l and The panels 49 and 52 arel stationary, and areprovided for the purpose ot permitting' the customers to observe the. loottled goods that inay be arranged. in the various con'ipartnients 53, and in the compartinents .l-"lon the inner sides of the panels.

The compartments 52% may be like pigeonlioles or may be otherwise constructed, 'for the reception of various bottled goods, such 'as catsups, niustards and like articles. in tact, sonic oi' the compartments 53 may contain cakes, candies or the like. The coin* partnients 5l on the inside et the glass panels or sashes constitute the show eases, in which articles Jfor sale may be on display. The clerk niagl' have, ready access to the coinpartments in order to remove the. various goods which are on display when chosen by the customers, by being; enabled to insert an arni through the openings, as at Rising` upwardly troni the counters 47 and i8 and imniediatelj,7 above the partitions 50 and 5l are glass panels or sashes 5G and 5T, the torinor oli which are arranged above and are stationary` While the latter glass panels or sashcs are capable oi being` raised or lo\vered, to permit customers to easily tall( over the purchases to be inane.. i

rilie left wall ot the aisle or passagrefl, near the forward part of the bodyY of the automobile zgrocery store7 that is immediateluiY to the. rear ot' the driver`s seat constructed with a puualitjvy oi' compartments 5S, super-imposed and having: inclined bottoms. These conniarrinen''s may be constructed b v nir-ans oi intersecting partitions ot' light vvoofl or other suitable material. or metal. and are designed toreccive fruit and vegetables A.tor display. Adjacent the saine Wall ot' the body ot the automobile store, just to' the rear oi the compartments 5S a food, such as meats, butter, lard and the like.

.This refrigerator may have the usual ice compartment, and it may bel observed that this compartu'ient permits of access from the egterior of the body, so that. ice may be deposited therein from the outside, thereby preventing the ice-man from carrying the ice through they entrance, and the aisle to the refrigerator. Suitable partitions 60 and 6l are arranged vertically on the left wall ot' the aisle or space 3l, in order to divide off a space forthe reception otthe refrigerator. These partitions 60 and 6l extend the t'ull height ot the body ot' the automobile, there being a space 62 formed above the refrigerator, the top 63 ot'which constitutes a suitable support t'or weighing; scales shown), so that various articles can be weighed, whereby the customer may receive the requisite weight.:

Also, adjacent the left wall of the aisle or space 31, and above the compartments 58 is a plurality of Vertical and horizoi'ital partions 6iand 65. One ot the horizontal partitions 65 is arranged adjacent the top ot the interior of the body, and extends across vthe top of the space 62. By means ot these partitions 64 and 65 suitable compart- 'ments are constructed, 'for the reception of drawers 66. However, the compartments formed by the vertical partitions 67 between the top ot' the body of the automobile store and the uppermost partition 65 are much narrower than thel other compartments,

which receive the drawers 66. However, the

V latter compartments `formed by the vertical partitions 67 also'receive. drawers 68. Between the uppermost compartments 58and the lowermost.partition 65 vertical partitions 69 are arranged in parallel spaced relation, thereby providing compartments 70 for smaller drawers 7l. The fronts of these various drawers 66, 68 4and 71 are suitably paneled with glass or other transparent ma terial, so that the various articles contained in the drawers may be readily jobserved by vthe clerk, particularly by the customers,

without in any way being able to handle the articles, `hence preventing theft. ,V

Also arranged upon thel left side of the wall ot the body immeizliatialy to the rear of the 'refrigerator is a plurality ot' vertical and horizontal partitions 72 and 73, which intersect one another, hence. constructing a plurality ot' rectangular compartments or open shelves 74, for the reception ot'various articles for sale, such asv melons, cantaloups, or other produce.

Arranged above the compartments 74 is a plurality of horizontal shelves 75, there bemg a super-imposed, hence dividing the shelves "(5 .into elohgated' compartments 77. A. parti- (notplurality of vertical partitions 76v the edojes ot' the 'iartitions 76 and 76. so as to position the vertical rods Sfl a little beyond the edges of said partitions, whereby a plurality of horizontal rods 65 may be positioned between vertical rods and the edges ol the partitions, hence resting upon the screws. Certain ot these screws are arranged between thc shelves at spaced inter vals as illustrated, and thc shelves are designed to support various articles, such as cainned goods, larger bottled goods than heretofore mentioned, ccrealsand various other like articles. When such articles are purchased, the clerk may readily raise any one of the-horizontal rods, which are guided between the vertical rods andthe edges of the partitions, to permit the desired article to be easily removed. After thc article is removed, the rod may fall by gravity to its initial position, hence retaining the remaining` articles in place.

On the right'hand side ot the aisle or passage 3l at the rea-r is a toilet compartment, having' a paneled door 86, hinged at 87. One of the walls ot the toilet near the upper part is provided with a small glass paneledwindow 88, for the purpose ot' ventilatingt the toilet. The rear wall ot the body ot the automobile -grocery store between the toilet and the shelves 73 and 75 is provided with an exit opening 89 having` a closure or door'90 hinged at 91 and this rear door 90 is provided with a tir-op glass sash or panell 93 for light and ventilation. which glass' panel or sash may be raised and lowered in any conventional manner, as may be found convenient. d

vAdjacent the toilet near the lower portion of the right hand side of the aisle or space 31 a plurality of horizontal and vertical partitions 93 and 84 are provided intersecting one another, thereby forming' coiioa'rtments tor different articles, such as fiom and meal sacks, also milk, lard and 'like articles and also some of' the compartments may conv tain potatoes and like vegetables. y dJacent the compartments formedby the .partitions 93 and 9st other suitable spaces llo are provided, lwhich are interseeted by the horizontal shelves J8, thereby forming the compartments 99. T he edges oit the vertical partitions 9T support horizontal rods, similar to the rods 85, by means of the lscrew eyes, which aresimilar to the screw eyes S2, and therefore are designated by like numerals. These horizontal rods which are similar to the rods Soare capable of being raised to' permit various articles that may be supported upon the shelves 98 to be removed. Certain of the con'ipartments 99 are close-d by means of fabric or meshworl: clo`- sure 1,00, as shown in Fig. -L p Below the counter `a plurality of horizontal shelves 10i are provided, for the reception or various articles to be sold. One of the compartments formed by one of the shelves 101 is subdivided by the partition.

ad?, which are mounted in order to be raised and lowered in any conventional manner, in order to ventilate the customers vestibule.

` The frame or' the body may be constructed ont any suitable hard thin wood, ot sutcient and strength to carry the necessary weight or load.o lt desired, the walls oi' the body may be made of thin strong` wood or sheet steel and paneled, as previously stated.

'.lfhe drawers 'immediately below the counter are designed primarily for the reception of' cash, thread andgsimilar articles. in fact, a conventional forni of cash drawer may be arranged under the counter in any suitable manner. y

Certain ofthe compartments or spaces 95 also are constituted 'for receiving,- wrapping` paper and bags, and other similar articles, for wrapping and for containing the various purchases to be-made.

The bottomof the body `of the automobile grocery store near the rear thereof is proprived with a hinged trap door 110.

ln Fig. 9, the vertical rods 84 are disposed between the horizontal shelves, and further` more the vertical partitions '7G are the same width as the horizontal shelves, and in this case the vertical rods 84 are arranged adjacent the side faces or the vertical partitions, near their-outer edges. Also, in this figure, the rods 85 have eyes engaging the rods 84C, so that the rods 85 may be moved upwardly and downwardly. .twill be o bserved that in Fig. 3, the verticalrods 8l are arranged adjacentI the oi" the vertical partitions, instead or' adjacent their side laces, and in this case, the horizontal rods 85, as previously stated operate upwardly and downwardly between 'the vertical. rods 8l and the torwaril edges ot the vertical partitions,

From the foregoing it will be noted that this automobile grocery store apparatus, from the proprietos view point, has its advantages. For instance, an ordinary grocery store has numerous overhead expenses, such as clerk hire, fixtures, delivery wagons (which require drivers or challeurs) light, beat'and many other expenses. W ith the present form of automobile grocery store, these various expenses are considerably reduced, for when purchasing the automobile Yfully equipped, the various necessary fixtures will be part of the body of the automobiley thereby not only combining the delivery wagon and store or housing, but also combining the fixtures in one expense. l'llhen operating this style oi store, a coinbined chauffeur and clerk may be hired, as it has been J[found that a proprietor and a single clerk may supply the needs ol the customers.

Furthermore, it will be noted that vthedrivers or chaui'eurs compartment is partitioned ofi? trom the entrance to the customers vestibule or compartment, so that should the proprietoract as the chauiiieur, it kis possible that the customers may be easily seen y when entering the customers vestibule, as the partition between the chant r'eurs compartment and 'the entrance to the customers vestibule has a glass or other transparent panel. Also the entrance between the chauffeur-s compartment and the central aisle of the store is provided with a door or closure, which has its upper parts provided with a glass or other transparent panel, so that the chauffeur can observe custoiners in the vestibule, provided they entered the vestibule when the chauffeur was looking in an opposite direction,

A lso the invention provides that thecustomers in the vestibule can easily observe the goods on display in the sales room owing to the partition between the aisle and the customers vestibule being provided with glass or other transparent panels. Obviously the customers may easily observe `the goods being purchased without in any way handling the goods, thereby avoiding theft. Y

The invention having been set forth, what 1'25 is claimed as new and useful is:

"l, ln an automobile grocery store, the combination with a vehicle body provided with a chauil'eurs compartment, a side en-v trance forward et the body communica 13o tively connected with the drivers compartment, a customers vestibule to theJ rear of the entrance conununicatively connected. with the entrance, said body having a central aisle Jfrom the drivers compartment to the rear, and closures between the custon1- ers vestibule and the entrance and between the drivers compartment and the entrance and between the aisle and the ydriver-S compartment. o

2. In an automobile grocery store, the combination with a vehicle body provided with va chautleufs compartment, a side entrance forward of the body communicatively connected with the drivel-s compartment, a customers"vestibule to the rear of the entrance communicatively connected with the entrance, said body having a central aisle from the drivers compartment to the rear, and closures between'tlie customers vestibule and the entrance and between the drivers compartment and the entrance and between the-aisle and the ldrivers compartment, said aisle upon opposite sides from the Yforward part of the body to the rear being provided with a plurality oi shelves, compartments and drawers, for the reception of various articles on display for sale.

An automobile grocery store, comprising a body having a central aisle, thereby dividing vthe body, the opposing walls on customers vestibule connnunicatively connected with the aisle, the 'forward part of the body on one side having a chaulieurs compartment having a passage of communication with the aisle, a door controllin said passage of communication, the forward part of the body on the other side opposite the chauli'eurs compartment having an en 'trance having communicative connections respectively with the chautfeurs compartment and the customers vestibule.

4. A portable grocery store, comprising a portable housing provided with a central aisle having an entrance at the forward" end of the housing, means upon opposite walls of kthe aisle to support articles for sale, a customers vestibule to the rear of the entrance, a-partitio'n between the vestilnile and the aisle, said partition having a counter, and a communicative connection between the vestibule and the aisle over the counter.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature in the presence ot' two witnesses.

' EVERETT E. MOSELEY.

Witnesses lV. O. LEWIS, W. E. SCHMUL. 

